# Zambia

> country at the crossroads of Central and Southern Africa

**Wikidata**: [Q953](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q953)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zambia)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/zambia

## Summary

Zambia is a country located on the continent of Africa [1]. It was established on October 24, 1964 . The official language of Zambia is English [2].The country has a population of 19.6M as of 2022 [3] and covers an area of 753k [4].Zambia operates on the time zones UTC+02:00 and Africa/Lusaka [5].It is situated in a specific region, with its characteristics defined by its geographical and demographic features, including its population and area [3] [4].

## Summary
Zambia, officially the Republic of Zambia, is a sovereign state and landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southern Africa. It achieved independence on October 24, 1964, replacing the territory formerly known as Northern Rhodesia. The nation is named after the Zambezi River, features a presidential system of government with its capital at Lusaka, and had a population of approximately 19.6 million people as of the 2022 census.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name:** Republic of Zambia.
- **Location:** A landlocked country in Southern/Central Africa; coordinates approximately latitude -14, longitude 28.
- **Capital:** Lusaka.
- **Independence:** Founded on October 24, 1964; replaced Northern Rhodesia.
- **Government:** Presidential system and representative democracy.
    - **Head of State/Government:** Hakainde Hichilema (incumbent since August 24, 2021).
    - **Legislature:** National Assembly.
    - **Executive Body:** Cabinet of Zambia.
- **Area:** 752,618 square kilometers (as of 2004).
- **Population:** 19,610,769 (2022 census); comprising 10,077,713 males and 9,603,056 females.
- **Currency:** Zambian Kwacha (since January 1, 2013); previously Zambian pound and Old Zambia kwacha.
- **Official Language:** English.
- **Motto:** "One Zambia, One Nation."
- **Anthem:** "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free."
- **Time Zone:** UTC+02:00 (Africa/Lusaka).
- **Driving Side:** Left.
- **Calling Code:** +260.
- **Internet TLD:** .zm.
- **ISO Codes:** ZM (Alpha-2), ZMB (Alpha-3), 894 (Numeric).

## FAQs
**What countries border Zambia?**
Zambia shares borders with eight countries: Zimbabwe, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, and Botswana.

**What are the key demographics of Zambia?**
As of 2022, the population is approximately 19.6 million, with a birth rate of 34.127 (2022) and a death rate of 6.716 (2022). The life expectancy at birth was recorded as 61.874 years in 2016. The population is distributed between rural (approx. 10.8 million) and urban (approx. 9.1 million) areas.

**What is the economic profile of Zambia?**
Zambia's nominal GDP was approximately $29.78 billion USD in 2022. The economy utilizes the Zambian Kwacha, and the central bank is the Bank of Zambia. The country has a Gini coefficient of 57.1 (2015), indicating high inequality, and a Value Added Tax (VAT) rate of 16%.

**What international organizations is Zambia a member of?**
Zambia is a member of the United Nations (joined Dec 1964), African Union, Commonwealth of Nations (joined 1964), World Trade Organization (joined 1995), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), among numerous other international bodies.

**What are the administrative divisions of Zambia?**
Zambia contains ten provincial administrative divisions: Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern, Northwestern, Southern, Western, and Muchinga.

## Why It Matters
Zambia serves as a strategic geopolitical crossroads in Africa, bridging Central, East, and Southern Africa. Its history marks a significant transition from colonial rule (Northern Rhodesia) to a multiparty democracy, playing a distinct role in regional politics through organizations like the Southern African Development Community. Economically, it represents a developing economy with substantial natural resources, reflected in its provincial nomenclature such as the "Copperbelt." The country’s sustained population growth and young demographic profile position it as a significant emerging market in the region. Culturally, it is defined by its motto "One Zambia, One Nation," promoting unity across diverse ethnic and linguistic groups.

## Notable For
- **Geographical Uniquess:** A landlocked nation positioned at the crossroads of Central, East, and Southern Africa.
- **Naming:** Distinctive for being named after the Zambezi River, which flows through the region.
- **High Fertility:** Maintained a high total fertility rate, recorded at 5.353 children per woman in 2014.
- **Political History:** The presidency has seen significant transitions, including the leadership of Kenneth Kaunda (1964–1991), Frederick Chiluba, Levy Mwanawasa, Rupiah Banda, Michael Sata, Edgar Lungu, and the current president, Hakainde Hichilema.
- **Hydrology:** Contains the lowest point at the Zambezi River (329 meters) and the highest point at Mafinga Central.
- **Diplomatic Ties:** Maintains diplomatic relations with a wide array of nations including the US, Russia, China, India, and various neighbors, and is a signatory to the African Continental Free Trade Area.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Zambia is situated in Southern Africa, with the United Nations geoscheme also placing it in Eastern and Central Africa. The country encompasses a total area of 752,618 square kilometers. It is geographically defined by its coordinates (Lat -14, Lon 28) and its status as a landlocked territory. The highest point in the country is Mafinga Central, while the lowest point is the Zambezi River at an elevation of 329 meters.

The nation shares land borders with eight sovereign states:
- **Zimbabwe** (Zambia–Zimbabwe border)
- **Tanzania** (Tanzania–Zambia border)
- **Democratic Republic of the Congo** (DRC–Zambia border)
- **Malawi** (Malawi–Zambia border)
- **Mozambique** (Mozambique–Zambia border)
- **Namibia** (Namibia–Zambia border)
- **Angola** (Angola–Zambia border)
- **Botswana** (Botswana–Zambia border)

Extreme geographic coordinates include the northernmost point (-8.27494, 30.42895), southernmost (-18.0759, 26.6935), and easternmost (-10.56768, 33.7095).

### Government and Politics
Zambia functions as a sovereign state and republic under a presidential system and representative democracy. The executive power resides with the Cabinet of Zambia, while legislative authority is vested in the National Assembly.

**Heads of State:**
The office of the President has been held by:
- **Kenneth Kaunda:** 1964–1991
- **Frederick Chiluba:** 1991–2002
- **Levy Mwanawasa:** 2002–2008
- **Rupiah Banda:** 2008–2011
- **Michael Sata:** 2011–2014
- **Guy Scott:** 2014–2015
- **Edgar Lungu:** 2015–2021
- **Hakainde Hichilema:** 2021–Present

**Administrative Divisions:**
The country is subdivided into ten provinces: Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern, Northwestern, Southern, Western, and Muchinga.

### Demographics and Society
Zambia has experienced steady population growth, rising from roughly 3 million in 1960 to over 19 million by 2022.
- **2022 Census:** 19,610,769 (10,077,713 males; 9,603,056 females).
- **Urban vs Rural (2022):** 9,160,288 urban vs 10,857,387 rural.
- **Birth Rate (2022):** 34.127.
- **Death Rate (2022):** 6.716.
- **Life Expectancy:** 61.874 years (2016).

**Languages:**
While **English** is the official language (110,000 first language; 1.8 million second language speakers), numerous local languages are spoken, including Bemba, Lozi, Nyanja/Chewa, Tonga, and Lunda.

**Culture:**
- **Motto:** One Zambia, One Nation.
- **Anthem:** "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free."
- **Symbols:** The flag of Zambia and the coat of arms of Zambia.
- **Demonyms:** Zambian (English), Zambien (French), Sambier (German).

### Economy and Infrastructure
The economy utilizes the **Zambian Kwacha** (ZMW) as currency, which replaced the Old Zambia kwacha in 2013. The **Bank of Zambia** serves as the central bank.
- **Nominal GDP (2022):** $29,784,454,056 USD.
- **Unemployment Rate (2014):** 13%.
- **Gini Coefficient (2015):** 57.1.
- **VAT Rate:** 16%.

**Infrastructure:**
- **Electricity:** 230 Volts, 50 Hz. Plug types include Europlug, British types (BS 1363).
- **Telecommunications:** Country code +260; mobile country code 645.
- **Transport:** Vehicles drive on the left.
- **Emergency Numbers:** 999, 911 (Police), 112 (Police/Fire), 992 (Medical), 993 (Fire).

### International Relations
Zambia is an active participant in global diplomacy.
**Memberships include:**
- United Nations (joined Dec 1, 1964)
- Commonwealth of Nations (joined 1964)
- African Union
- World Trade Organization (joined Jan 1, 1995)
- Southern African Development Community (SADC)
- African Development Bank
- Interpol (joined Aug 31, 1966)
- International Criminal Court
- Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

**Diplomatic Relations:**
Zambia maintains relations with a vast network of countries including the United States, Russia, China, India, Germany, Israel, Brazil, Canada, and regional neighbors like South Africa and Zimbabwe.

### Identifiers and Codes
Zambia is indexed in numerous international standards and databases:
- **ISO 3166:** ZM / ZMB / 894.
- **IOC Code:** ZAM.
- **UNDP Code:** ZAM.
- **License Plate:** Z.
- **GS1 GTIN Prefix:** 6326.
- **FIPS Code:** ZA.
- **Marc Code:** za.
- **Geonames ID:** 895949.
- **Wikidata ID:** Q954.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/zambia)
2. [Source](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zambia/11195196/I-am-Africas-first-white-democratic-leader-says-Zambian-vice-president.html)
3. [Source](http://www.elections.org.zm/results/2015_presidential_election)
4. Constitution of Zambia
5. Open ISNI for Organizations
6. BnF authorities
7. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2021e/africa)
8. Lingua Libre
9. [Source](https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/zambia_e.htm)
10. [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Development_Bank)
11. [Source](https://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/zambia)
12. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
13. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Africa/ZAMBIA)
14. [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons](https://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/member-states/)
15. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/zambia)
16. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
17. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
18. [Source](https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Member-Countries?csid=-1&cid=330)
19. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
20. [Source](https://public.wmo.int/en/members/zambia)
21. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
22. [Source](https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about-us/wco-members/list-of-members-with-membership-date.pdf)
23. [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_parties_to_the_Treaty_on_the_Non-Proliferation_of_Nuclear_Weapons)
24. [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Continental_Free_Trade_Area#List_of_signatories_and_parties_to_the_agreement)
25. [Source](https://www.ncnk.org/sites/default/files/content/resources/publications/NCNK_Issue_Brief_DPRK_Diplomatic_Relations.pdf)
26. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
27. [Source](https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/)
28. FIPS 10-4
29. Virtual International Authority File
30. MusicBrainz
31. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
32. [Source](http://www.zamstats.gov.zm/)
33. World Bank Open Data
34. [World Bank Open Data](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
35. [Source](https://www.zamstats.gov.zm/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2022-Census-of-Population-and-Housing-Preliminary.pdf)
36. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
37. [Source](http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS)
38. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
39. [Source](https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/za.html)
40. The World Factbook
41. [Source](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/zambia/)
42. The National Terminology Database for Irish
43. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
44. BBC Things
45. [Source](http://chartsbin.com/view/edr)
46. [Source](http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/DYB2004/Table03.pdf)
47. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
48. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
49. BabelNet
50. [International Numbering Resources Database](http://www.itu.int/net/itu-t/inrdb/e129_important_numbers.aspx)